Tribal Access Program (TAP)

Overview

Tribes face unique challenges in information sharing and accessing federal databases, which impact law enforcement and public safety not only in Indian Country but in the 35 states in which tribal land is located. Tribes implementing the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) are particularly hampered as SORNA requires sex offender biometrics and biographical data be submitted into various federal databases, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR). The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP) in August 2015 to provide tribes access to national crime information systems for both criminal and civil purposes. TAP allows tribes to more effectively serve and protect their communities by ensuring the exchange of critical data across the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) systems and other national crime information systems.

Workstations feature a computer, palm and fingerprint scanner, camera, flatbed scanner, and printer to provide access to and enter data into national crime information systems.

DOJ Provides Enhanced Training and Assistance:

TAP provides online and in-person training and assists tribes in analyzing needs and identifying/providing appropriate solutions to maximize the value of national crime information

National Crime Information Systems

National Crime Information Center (NCIC)

A criminal records database allowing criminal justice agencies to enter or search for information about stolen property, missing or wanted persons, and domestic violence protection orders; to get criminal histories; and to access the National Sex Offender Registry.

Next Generation Identification (NGI)

Formerly known as the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) – a database of palm and fingerprints and mugshots, allowing verification of identity, submissions of arrest information, and access to fingerprint-based criminal histories.

National Data Exchange (N-DEx)

A national investigative information sharing system giving access to records from across the nation to aid in criminal investigations. Investigators can review criminal justice data from state, local, tribal, regional, and federal agencies, 24/7, from any secure Internet-capable device. Data
includes incident reports, arrest reports, booking and incarceration reports, pre-trial investigations, and probation and parole records.

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

A system used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to determine a person’s eligibility to buy firearms or explosives, helping to ensure prohibited persons are prevented from purchasing firearms, and to issue firearms-related permits, and manage seized firearms.

Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP)

A gateway for criminal justice agencies to access unclassified law enforcement intelligence products, as well as systems or services such as N-DEx, Intelink, the Regional Information Sharing Systems Network (RISSNET), National Gang Intelligence Center, eGuardian, Virtual Command Center, and others.

International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets)

An interstate justice and public safety network owned by the states supporting inquiry into state systems for criminal history, driver’s license and motor vehicle registration, as well as supporting inquiry into federal systems, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Law Enforcement Support Center, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) National Drug Pointer Index (NDPIX), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Registry, as well as the Government of Canada’s Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC).

TAP User Feedback Phase

In 2015, DOJ selected tribes to participate in the
initial User Feedback Phase. Funded entirely by the SMART Office, this phase focused on testing DOJ’s technology solution and training support; it also enabled tribes to identify and share best practices regarding the use of national crime information databases to strengthen public safety.

In 2016, participating tribes received a kiosk
workstation that provided access to national systems
as well as training to support whole-of-government
needs. User Feedback Phase tribes have elected to
implement TAP in a variety of criminal and civil
agencies. Those criminal agencies included police
departments, prosecutors, criminal courts, jails,
and probation departments. The civil agencies and
programs that were eligible to use TAP included
agencies whose staff have contact with or control
over Indian children; public housing agencies; child
support enforcement agencies; Head Start programs;
civil agencies that investigate allegations of abuse,
neglect, and exploitation of children; civil courts that
issue orders of protection, injunctions, restraining
orders, or other keep away orders; and sex offender
registration programs.

TAP adds value to tribal efforts to have orders of
protection enforced off-reservation, protect children,
keep guns out of the wrong hands, improve the safety
of public housing, register sex offenders, and allow
tribes to have tribal arrests and tribal convictions be
associated with their tribe.

Beyond the User Feedback Phase

Because of the success of the TAP User Feedback Phase, DOJ will continue to make TAP services available to additional tribes in 2017. Phase II of TAP is funded by the SMART Office and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and supported with technical assistance from DOJ’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

Requirements for Participation in TAP Implementation

To participate in TAP, tribes agree to comply with and adhere to auditing and policy requirements,
personnel and physical requirements, and technical security requirements applied to all agencies
when accessing national crime information systems. Tribes designate a coordinator/security officer who
ensures all personnel with access adhere to all training and policy requirements. Tribes also agree to
be audited by DOJ in accordance with policy.

Tribes must provide high-speed Internet access and pay any FBI CJIS User Fees associated with
fingerprint-based and name-based checks for noncriminal justice purposes, executing a user fee
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CJIS to pay those fees. Additionally, tribal governments
must make legislative or policy determinations that provide guidance to tribal courts and law
enforcement about what tribal data is shared.

Learn More About TAP

DOJ recognizes that some tribes have access
to certain CJIS systems through state CSA
networks. In that instance, DOJ encourages
a three-way discussion with the tribe and the
state CSA about their information needs.